A man suspected of swallowing class A drugs has today (Saturday, February 10) broken the British record for spending the most days in custody while police wait for him to go to the toilet.

Essex Police said there was "no update" on the 24-year-old suspected gang member as he entered the 23rd day held under constant supervision.

Medical experts say there is a small chance of his bowels bursting but a force spokesman refused to provide daily updates.

Followers from as far afield as Holland have been logging on to the police's Twitter feed for updates.

Day 21/3 weeks for our man on #poowatch still no movements/items to report, he will remain with us until Friday when we are back at court where we will be requesting a further 8 days should he not produce anything before that hearing #opraptorhttps://t.co/SqeD9keiyA

Police say there won't be an update on his condition "until he has done what we need him to do".

The man who police have not named was arrested on January 17 on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs.

He is alleged to have swallowed the drugs while trying to avoid being arrested and cops are keeping him locked up until the evidence naturally leaves his body.

Following his arrest, policing team Op Raptor West tweeted to say: "London gang nominal arrested for failing to stop for police and possession with intent to supply class A drugs, male doesn't think we have the power to keep him until he removes said items from his bottom."

But more than three weeks later, the team based at Harlow police station, Essex, are still waiting.

They took to Twitter again earlier this week to say: "Day 20 is coming to an end and still no movement, sorry for the delay in updates the team are busy covering this and other ongoing investigations".